We are leaving on a two month trip to Alaska in two weeks. Based on a month long trip out west last summer, we decided to remove the couch and fold out tables in our 1995 25' Classic and replace it with a dinette set. I also pulled out the carpeting and replaced it with a floating cork floor, put in two new Fantastic Fans, and added two overhead flourescent lights. The wrap around dinette arrangement was modeled on the two done by PizzaChop, and detailed elsewhere in this forum.

I used a hydraulic pedestal ($75) for the dinette table that I found from an online marine parts store. This lets me lift and lower the table without having to manhandle it up and down. I also added 4 folding table legs to help stabilize it when it is in the table position. The back cushions drop onto the table to complete the bed surface. It all goes up or down in less than a minute, and I do not have any leftover things to store or fiddle with.

The cork floor is great, and I think it will be easy to clean, and less funky than the carpet. Although it is a hard surface, it is "soft" underfoot.

Many of the threads posted in this forum gave me ideas and the confidence to do this project. Here are some pictures, and thanks for sharing your knowledge here! (PS-not sure the pics will post, but if they don't this time, I'll try again....)

Great job on the dinnet. When you go to Alaska take your time. The road is good in most places going north. There probably be construction by Distruction Bay and the road between Haines Junction in Yucon and Beaver Creek is the pits 30 mph max. or you will kill your trailer. Also when the fuel tank tells you half full fill up at the next place.There is a lot of empty road on the Alaska Hwy.
If you can spend a night in Beaver Creek and see the show at the hotel. It is a lot of fun. they have a camp ground next to the hotel.I have traveled the to Alaska tree times. Health issue will keep me home this year.
Regards from Russell

Beautiful job on both the floor and the table. We own a 1985 25' Soverign and I would like to install a dinette at the front identical yours, at a later date. We've only owned it for about 4 weeks. On your way to Alaska if you need a place to boondock in Edmonton send me a message a week or so in advance. You are more than welcome to park at our place for a few days if you want to explore the area. Good luck with your trip.

It is a Springfield Marine product, and is of high quality. I made my table top (~36"x40") out of 3/4 particle board, and laminated it. The table top weighs roughly 25 lbs, which is half of the total rated weight of the pedestal. I looked at several other pedestal models, but this seemed to be the best option.

does it wobble much when it's in the up position? It looks great, but I think I might need a completely removable pedestal for what I have planned. That might entail just making legs out of wood. Not sure yet. I'll start noodling it more this weekend.

This lets me lift and lower the table without having to manhandle it up and down. I also added 4 folding table legs to help stabilize it when it is in the table position. The back cushions drop onto the table to complete the bed surface. It all goes up or down in less than a minute, and I do not have any leftover things to store or fiddle with.

does it wobble much when it's in the up position? It looks great, but I think I might need a completely removable pedestal for what I have planned. That might entail just making legs out of wood. Not sure yet. I'll start noodling it more this weekend.

Cool find, though!

JP

I looked at quite a few adjustable pedestals. Some required clearance through the floor, which obviously is a no-go. I wound up settling on this base, but there maybe many others suitable for the purpose. I just did not want to wrestle with the whole affair twice a day, and have to store any extra pieces or parts.

The table had a little wiggle with the pedestal alone, like most RV tables that convert to a bed. It was probably serviceable, but it bugged me too much. So, I got some hardware to add 4 table legs that fold up and down as needed. I also inserted adjustable feet in the bottom of the legs to level the table all the way around. The final result is that the 4 legs add quite a bit of stability to the table. It is pretty sturdy. The final test will be two months (with two kids) on the road to Alaska.....

So when the table is stowed, does the hydrolic/gas shock just go over center? Or is there a "down position" lock/latch?

Nice work!

The piston is the black cylinder in the picture. It goes straight up and down like the shock in a car. There is a lever at the top of the pedestal that actuates the piston, and allows you to adjust the table to an "infinite" number of vertical positions within 12" and 28" (or thereabouts) of height. Once you reach the desired height, the lever locks the table in place.

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